Input Sought on Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship

With renovations underway for the new Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), potential tenants and members are encouraged to contribute to its final design.

A request for information was issued today, March 9, to learn from local, national and international businesses about their design needs for space, facilities and programming.

COVE is a global centre for ocean innovation and collaboration being developed on the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour at the site of the former Canadian Coast Guard Base.

“At COVE, we’ll commercialize technologies to grow the ocean economy in Nova Scotia, the Atlantic region and the country,” said Jim Hanlon, chief executive officer of the Institute for Ocean Research Enterprises. “By seeking input on the final design, we’re ensuring this facility meets the needs of future tenants and members, and we’re encouraging businesses to become part of COVE. “

By providing shared facilities such as access to wharfs, fabrication shops, test facilities, and common business space, COVE will reduce costs and growth barriers for new and small ocean technology businesses. It will also help businesses grow through incubation, mentorship, programming, and access to global market connections.

Renovations are underway at the centre as are stakeholder and industry consultations on the design of facilities and programming. The centre is being marketed and promoted through international industry conferences and events, presentations and tours for interested parties.

“The process to design COVE is collaborative, like the facility will be,” said Jennifer Angel, acting CEO of the Waterfront Development Corp. “From early input, we know this will be a functional working space that can be reconfigured and customized to tenant needs, to meet high safety, security and technology standards, and to foster community.

“The information we gather through this request for information will further shape COVE.”

The request closes on April 21 and will be followed by a formal request for proposals for tenants and members this spring. COVE is scheduled to open in April 2018.

For the request for information form and more information, visit www.coveocean.com.